All Chapters of My Dirty Night Secret : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

**KAGURA’S POV**“You know the rules,” my father murmured against my ear, his hand still resting heavily on my shoulder. “No talking to anyone. You don’t have time for friends. No boyfriends. No clubs. Keep your mouth shut unless a teacher asks you a direct question.”I nodded. “Yes, Daddy.”“Good.” He exhaled. “I won’t be able to pick you up today. This new job doesn’t give me the breaks I want, so you’ll walk home. Get the laundry done the second you get in. Understood?”“Yes, Daddy.”He released me. “Go straight to class after your locker.”I nodded as I watched him walk back to the car and drive away. Only then did I let out the breath I had been holding.Using the map printed on the back of my schedule, I navigated the crowded hallways toward the sophomore lockers. I kept my eyes fixed on the paper, avoiding the curious stares that followed the new girl. When I finally found my assigned locker at the far end of the row, a small wave of relief hit me. I always like my locker at

**KAGURA’S POV**The final bell rang, and I packed my things with the same quiet efficiency I used for everything else. After a full day of classes shared with both Zetian and Aamon, I felt drained. I still had to walk home—somewhere between one and two miles—then finish homework, do the laundry, cook dinner, and take care of Kelvin. The list alone made my shoulders ache.Honestly, I just wanted to go home and take anap. I needed one so badly.I closed my locker and pushed through the crowded hallway, dodging elbows and backpacks until I finally stepped outside. Stupid teenagers, I thought. The cold air hit my face at once. My ears stung almost immediately. Since I was already free of the building, I loosened the tight braid and let my wavy hair fall down my back. I pulled the hood of my thin jacket up, crossed my arms, and started the long walk toward the hell I had to call home.Head down, I moved quickly. The day had been long and awkward. Too many people had asked why I never

**KAGURA’S POV**I sat alone at the same back table as yesterday, trying desperately to ignore the angry growling of my stomach. I was so hungry it bordered on painful. The cafeteria noise was loud enough that no one else could hear it, but every tray that passed—spaghetti, sandwiches, pizza—made the ache worse.I was still trying to will the hunger away when a group of people dropped into the seats around me. Aamon and his brothers, along with their girlfriends, filled the table without asking.Zetian slid in beside me with a bright, determined smile. “I don’t care what you say—well, you know what I mean. We’re sitting with you.” Her expression immediately soured as she turned to Collins. “Besides, I need to complain about what a complete jerk Collins is being.”Collins sighed. “Zetian, don’t start. Your dad hates my guts and you know it.”“He does not! I want you to come to dinner so the two of you can finally talk like adults. Why is that so hard?”And just like that, they launch

**KAGURA’S POV**Changing in the girls’ locker room always felt like standing under a spotlight I never asked for. Around me, other girls moved with easy confidence—tanned skin, soft curves, laughter that came without effort. I kept my eyes down, trying not to compare my pale, thin frame to theirs. The contrast was impossible to ignore.I pulled on the gray PE shirt with the school logo and the ugly green basketball shorts, then tied my hair into a high ponytail. I checked the concealer one last time, hoping it would last through the period, and stepped out into the gymnasium.Sophomores and seniors shared PE because the school was small. Students were already running their required seven laps. I started at a light jog, already resenting every step. Running had never been something I enjoyed, and today my body felt heavier than usual. Kelvin had finally slept through the night, yet the bone-deep exhaustion never seemed to leave. If I disappeared, who would take care of him? The quest

**KAGURA’S POV**I sat on my bed with my back against the wall, Kelvin nestled between my legs, and both of my hands pressed gently over his ears. Across the hall my parents’ voices crashed against each other like waves.“How about you help me for once?” my father shouted.“What exactly do you want me to do, Fred?” my mother shot back.“Get off your lazy ass and find a job! I can’t be the only one paying for everything in this house—especially not with the amount of liquor you put away every week. You’re getting a job. End of discussion.”“With what education?” she screamed. “You made me drop out of college the second I got pregnant with Kagura—”The sharp crack of a slap cut her off. I flinched. Another slap followed, then the heavy thud of a body hitting the wall.“You will never speak to me like that again,” my father snarled. “I am your husband. You will respect me and do what I say. Find something—anything—that pays.”“Where?” she demanded, still foolish enough to keep talking. “